Automobile window screen



y 1934- K. MILLER AUTOMOBILE WINDOW SCREEN Filed Sept. 20, 1933 e/WV, TEE mu .m Z minw Z y 5 Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STTE PATENT OFFICE 1Claim.

This invention relates to automobile window screens, and the main objectis to provide a structure or assembly wherein an accordion pleated orcollapsible screen is mounted over the window so 5 as to be readilycollapsed into a compact and outcordion pleated screen secured to thedoor along one edge parallel to the folds in the screen and havingopenings near the apices of each fold to slidably receive supportingstrips or bars which are mounted alongside the window at right angles tothe screen folds, whereby said folds are slidably supported by thestrips and the screen may be collapsed toward its fastened edge orextended out over the window opening by pulling on its free edge.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the noveldetails and assembly hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an insideelevation of an automobile door and window as provided with my screen,the screen being shown as partially extended over the window opening.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary edge view of the screen as collapsedand not in use.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the screen in its fully extended positionas in use. v

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one margin of the screenalone.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawing, the referncecharacter A designates the usual window opening in an automobile door B,in which opening the window glass (not shown) is slidably mounted inusual manner. In accordance with my invention, a pair of supportingstrips, bars or rods 1 and 2 are mounted vertically alongside and spacedoutwardly from the ends C of the window, the said strips having offsetmounting feet 3 at their ends apertured to pass mounting screws orrivets 4 by which the strips are mounted, these offset ends spacing orthrowing the strips outward fromthe face of the door B as shown.

A square or piece of screen wire 5 of suitable mesh and material isprovided and is of such shape and size as to more than cover the windowopening while fiat, and this screen is then folded or pleated in themanner of an accordion bellows forming a plurality of parallel reversedfolds or webs 6 and 7 joined by the oppositely turned creases or apices8. This screen is fastened to the upper side of the door above thewindow edge D along one margin 9 parallel to the folds 6 and '7 by meansof screws or rivets 10, and the folds 6 5 and 7 are provided adjacenttheir ends with openings 11 near the alternate apices 8 to receive thesupporting strips 1 and 2 which are slidably extended therethrough.These openings 11 are formed only adjacent the inner apices or thosenext to the door, and sufficient space across or over the apices is leftbetween the openings so that the screen is held on the strips as shown.A flat reinforcing or draw strip 12 is secured to the lower free marginof the screen and forms the lowermost fold or web thereof, being alsoslidably mounted on the strips 1 and 2 by openings 11a near its ends andlower edge. The openings 11 may be reinforced to prevent distortion ortearing of the screen by eyelets 11b (Figure 5) or by running a littlesolder around theopenings.

So constructed and arranged, the screen may be readily collapsed uponitself toward the top of the window until it assumes a very compact formand the upper fastened edge 9 being located a I sufficient distanceabove the upper margin D of the window opening A, the screen completelyclears the opening when not in use. Then when its use is desired, thescreen is pulled downward by its free edge until the folds 6 and Iflatten out or substantially so, and the screen being of proper size thereinforcing strip and lower edge of the screen extend below the lowermargin E of the opening, completely closing the window against ingressof insects and the like. During these operations the folds of thescreens slide up and down or collapse and expand on the supportingstrips 1 and 2 for which purpose the openings 11 and 11a are madesufficiently large to give the necessary play. Obviously, the screen maybe arranged to collapse toward or expand from either end or theunderside of the window by proper arrangement of the supporting stripsand the fastened margin of the screen.

A flexible fastening tab or tag 13 is secured medially to thereinforcing strip 12 and carries at its free end a snap fastener socketelement 14 or button hole adapted to engage a complementary fastenerstud 15 mounted below the window opening A on the door B, whereby thescreen may be 11;)

secured in its extended position. Another stud 15a is mounted above thewindow opening and the socket on the tab 13 may likewise be engaged withthis stud to hold the screen in its collapsed position as shown.

While I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is understood that I may vary from the same in minordetails as necessary to best provide a practical device for the purposesintended, not departing from the spirit of the invention and within thescope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In combination with a window and frame, a pair of ofi-set supportingstrips on the frame at opposite margins of the window, a pleated screenof reversely turned and connected webs with openings at the ends of thewebs for slidably engaging the supporting strips, one marginal web ofthe screen being secured to the frame intermediate of the supportingstrips, a rigid draw strip secured to the opposite free marginal web ofthe screen, the same having end openings for slidably engaging the saidsupporting strips, a flexible draw-tab on the draw strip, a socketmember on the tab, and studs oppositely positioned on the frame forengaging the said socket member of the tab for holding the screen eitherextended or collapsed.

KINNEY I. MILLER.

